Antimicrobial quinolone thioureas

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial quinolone thiourea compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein (1) A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , R 1 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 6  form any of a variety of quinolone and related heterocyclic structures similar to those known in the art to have antimicrobial activity; and 
     (2) (1) R 1  is X, R 3  is X, or both R 1  and R 3  are X; and X is the thiourea containing moiety 
     and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts and biohydrolyzable esters thereof, and hydrates thereof.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 07/513,368, filed on Apr. 20, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,908, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 416,645, filed Oct. 10, 1989, abandoned which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 261,948, filed Oct. 24, 1988 (abandoned).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novel antimicrobial compounds and compositions. In particular, the compounds of this invention contain a quinolone or related heterocyclic moiety.

The chemical and medical literature describes a myriad of compounds that are said to be antimicrobial, i.e., capable of destroying or suppressing the growth or reproduction of microorganisms, such as bacteria. In particular, antibacterials include a large variety of naturally-occurring (antibiotic), synthetic, or semi-synthetic compounds. They may be classified (for example) as the aminoglycosides, ansamacrolides, beta-lactams (including penicillins and cephalosporins), lincos-aminides, macrolides, nitrofurans, nucleosides, oligosaccharides, peptides and polypeptides, phenazines, polyenes, polyethers, quinolones, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides. Such antibacterials and other antimicrobials are described in Antibiotics, Chemotherapeutics, and Antibacterial Agents for Disease Control (M. Grayson, editor, 1982), and E. Gale et al., The Molecular Basis of Antibiotic Action 2d edition (1981), both incorporated by reference herein.

The mechanism of action of these antibacterials vary. However, each can be generally classified as functioning in one or more of four ways: by inhibiting cell wall synthesis or repair; by altering cell wall permeability; by inhibiting protein synthesis; or by inhibiting synthesis of nucleic acids. For example, beta-lactam antibacterials act through inhibiting the essential penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) in bacteria, which are responsible for cell wall synthesis. On the other hand, quinolones act by inhibiting synthesis of bacterial DNA, thus preventing the bacteria from replicating.

Not surprisingly, the pharmacological characteristics of antibacterials and other antimicrobials, and their suitability for any given clinical use, also vary considerably. For example, the classes of antimicrobials (and members within a class) may vary in their relative efficacy against different types of microorganisms, and their susceptibility to development of microbial resistance. These antimicrobials may also differ in their pharmacological characteristics, such as their bioavailability, and biodistribution. Accordingly, selection of an appropriate antibacterial (or other antimicrobial) in any given clinical situation can be a complicated analysis of many factors, including the type of organism involved, the desired method of administration, and the location of the infection to be treated.

The pharmaceutical literature is replete with attempts to develop improved antimicrobials (i.e., compounds that have a broader scope of activity, greater potency, improved pharmacology, and/or less susceptibility to resistance development.) For example, one group of antimicrobials that has been developed relatively recently for clinical use is the quinolones. These compounds include, for example, nalidixic acid, difloxacin, enoxacin, fleroxacin, norfloxacin, lomefloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and pefloxacin. See, C. Marchbanks and M. Dudley, "New Fluoroquinolones", 7 Hospital Therapy 18 (1988); P. Shah, "Quinolones", 31 Prog. Drug Res. 243 (1987); Quinolones--Their Future in Clinical Practice, (A. Percival, editor, Royal Society of Medical Services, 1986); and M. Parry, "Pharmacology and Clinical Uses of Quinolone Antibiotics", 116 Medical Times 39 (1988).

However, many such attempts to produce improved antimicrobials have produced equivocal results. Indeed, few antimicrobials are developed that are truly clinically-acceptable in terms of their spectrum of antimicrobial activity, avoidance of microbial resistance, and pharmacology. For example, the quinolones often show reduced, effectiveness against certain clinically important pathogens (for example, gram positive bacteria and/or anaerobic bacteria). The quinolones also have limited water solubility limiting their bioavailability and suitability for parenteral dosing. They may also produce adverse side effects, such as gastrointestinal disturbance and central nervous system effects (such as convulsions). See, M. Neuman and A. Esanu, "Gaps and Perspectives of New Fluoroquinolones", 24 Drugs Exptl. Clin. Res. 385 (1988); W. Christ et al., "Specific Toxicologic Aspects of the Quinolones", 10 Rev. Infectious Diseases S141 (1988); H. Neu, "Clinical Use of the Quinolones", Lancet 1319 (1987); and "Ciprofloxacin: Panacea or Blunder Drug?", J. South Carolina Med. Assoc 131 (March 1989).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides compounds of the general structure: ##STR2## wherein (A)

(1) A¹ is N or C(R⁷); where

(i) R⁷ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro, cyano, halogen, alkyl, or N(R⁸)(R⁹), and

(ii) R⁸ and R⁹ are, independently, R^(8a) ; where R^(8a) is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, carbocyclic ring, or heterocyclic ring substituents; or R⁸ and R⁹ together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the nitrogen to which they are bonded;

(2) A² is C(R²); where R² is hydrogen or halogen;

(3) A³ is N or C(R⁵); where R⁵ is hydrogen;

(4) R¹ is hydrogen, alkyl, a carbocyclic ring, a heterocyclic ring, alkoxy, hydroxy, alkenyl, arylalkyl, N(R⁸)(R⁹), or X;

(5) R³ is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, a carbocyclic ring, a heterocyclic ring, or X;

(6) R⁴ is hydroxy; and

(7) R⁶ is hydrogen, alkyl, halogen, nitro, N(R⁸)(R⁹), or S(R^(8a));

(B) except that

(1) when A¹ is C(R⁷), R¹ and R⁷ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including N' and A¹ ;

(2) R² and R³ may together comprise --O--(CH₂)_(n) --O--, where n is from 1 to 4;

(3) when A³ is C(R⁵), R⁴ and R⁵ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the carbon atoms to which R⁴ and R⁵ are bonded and the carbon atom of Formula (I) to which said carbon atoms are bonded; and

(4) when A³ is C(R⁵), R¹ and R⁵ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including N' and the adjacent carbon to which R⁵ is bonded;

(C) and

(1) R¹ is X, R³ is X, or both R¹ and R³ are X; and

(2) X is --R¹⁵ --N(R¹⁶)(R¹⁷) or --R¹⁵ --R¹⁸ --N(R¹⁹)(R¹⁷), where

(a)

(1) R¹⁵ is nil, alkyl, a carbocyclic ring, or a heterocyclic ring; and

(2) R¹⁶ is hydrogen; alkyl; alkenyl; a carbocyclic ring; a heterocyclic ring; or

(3) when X is R¹⁵ --N(R¹⁶)(R¹⁷), R¹⁶ and R¹⁵ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are bonded;

(b) R¹⁷ is C(═S)--NR²⁰ R²¹ ; where R²⁰ is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring; and R²¹ is R²⁰ or N(R²⁰)(R²⁰); or R²⁰ and R²¹ together with the nitrogen to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring; and

(c)

(1) R¹⁸ is alkyl, a carbocyclic ring, or a heterocyclic ring; and

(2) R¹⁹ is hydrogen; alkyl; alkenyl; a carbocyclic ring; a heterocyclic ring; or

(3) R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are bonded;

and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts and biohydrolyzable esters thereof, and hydrates thereof.

It has been found that the compounds of this invention, and compositions containing these compounds, are effective antimicrobial agents against a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms. These compounds provide advantages versus antimicrobial agents among those known in the art, including (for example) the spectrum of antimicrobial activity, potency, and improved pharmacology.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses certain novel quinolones, methods for their manufacture, dosage forms, and methods of administering the dithiocarbamoyl quinolones to a human or other animal subject. Specific compounds and compositions to be used in the invention must, accordingly, be pharmaceutically acceptable. As used herein, such a "pharmaceutically-acceptable" component is one that is suitable for use with humans and/or animals without undue adverse side effects (such as toxicity, irritation, and allergic response) commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

QUINOLONE THIOUREAS

The compounds of this invention, herein referred to as "quinolone thioureas", encompass any of a variety of quinolones (and related heterocyclic moieties) having a thiourea-containing substituent at the 1- and/or 7-position of the quinolone moiety.

The quinolone thioureas of this invention include compounds of the general structure: ##STR3## wherein (A)

(1) A¹ is N or C(R⁷); where

(i) R⁷ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro, cyano, halogen, alkyl, or N(R⁸)(R⁹) (preferably hydrogen or halogen), and

(ii) R⁸ and R⁹ are, independently, R^(8a) ; where R^(8a) is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, carbocyclic ring, or heterocyclic ring substituents; or R⁸ and R⁹ together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the nitrogen to which they are bonded;

(2) A² is C(R²); where R² is hydrogen or (preferably) halogen;

(3) A³ is N or (preferably) C(R⁵); where R⁵ is hydrogen;

(4) R¹ is hydrogen, alkyl, a carbocyclic ring, a heterocyclic ring, alkoxy, hydroxy, alkenyl, arylalkyl, N(R⁸)(R⁹) (preferably alkyl or a carbocyclic ring); or X;

(5) R³ is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, a carbocyclic ring, a heterocyclic ring (preferably a heterocyclic ring); or X;

(6) R⁴ is hydroxy; and

(7) R⁶ is hydrogen, alkyl, halogen, nitro, N(R⁸)(R⁹), or S(R^(8a)) (preferably hydrogen);

(B) except that

(1) when A¹ is C(R⁷), R¹ and R⁷ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including N' and A¹ ;

(2) R² and R³ may together comprise --O--(CH₂)_(n) --O--, where n is from 1 to 4;

(3) when A³ is C(R⁵), R⁴ and R⁵ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the carbon atoms to which R⁴ and R⁵ are bonded and the carbon atom of Formula (I) to which said carbon atoms are bonded; and

(4) when A³ is C(R⁵), R¹ and R⁵ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including N' and the adjacent carbon to which R⁵ is bonded;

(C) and

(1) R¹ is X, R³ is X, or both R¹ and R³ are X; and

(2) X is --R¹⁵ --N(R¹⁶)(R¹⁷) or --R¹⁵ --R¹⁸ --N(R¹⁹)(R¹⁷), where

(a)

(1) R¹⁵ is nil, alkyl, a carbocyclic ring, or a heterocyclic ring; and

(2) R¹⁶ is hydrogen; alkyl; alkenyl; a carbocyclic ring; a heterocyclic ring; or

(3) when X is R¹⁵ --N(R¹⁶)(R¹⁷), R¹⁶ and R¹⁵ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are bonded;

(b) R¹⁷ is C(═S)--NR²⁰ R²¹ ; where R²⁰ is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring; and R²¹ is R²⁰ or N(R²⁰)(R²⁰); or R²⁰ and R²¹, together with the nitrogen to which they are bonded, form a heterocyclic ring; and

(c)

(1) R¹⁸ is alkyl, a carbocyclic ring, or a heterocyclic ring; and

(2) R¹⁹ is hydrogen; alkyl; alkenyl; a carbocyclic ring; a heterocyclic ring; or

(3) R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are bonded;

and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts and biohydrolyzable esters thereof, and hydrates thereof.

DEFINITION AND USAGE OF TERMS

The following is a list of definitions for terms used herein.

"Heteroatom" is a nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen atom. Groups containing one or more heteroatoms may contain different heteroatoms.

"Alkyl" is an unsubstituted or substituted saturated hydrocarbon chain radical having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferred alkyl groups include (for example) methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and butyl.

"Heteroalkyl" is an unsubstituted or substituted saturated chain radical having from 3 to 8 members comprising carbon atoms and one or two heteroatoms.

"Alkenyl" is an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbon chain radical having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and having at least one olefinic double bond.

"Carbocyclic ring" is an unsubstituted or substituted, saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, hydrocarbon ring radical. Carbocyclic rings are monocyclic or are fused, bridged or spiro polycyclic ring systems. Monocyclic rings contain from 3 to 9 atoms, preferably 3 to 6 atoms. Polycyclic rings contain from 7 to 17 atoms, preferably from 7 to 13 atoms.

"Cycloalkyl" is a saturated carbocyclic ring radical. Preferred cycloalkyl groups include (for example) cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl and cyclohexyl.

"Heterocyclic ring" is an unsubstituted or substituted, saturated, unsaturated or aromatic ring radical comprised of carbon atoms and one or more heteroatoms in the ring. Heterocyclic rings are monocyolic or are fused, bridged or spiro polycyclic ring systems. Monocyclic rings contain from 3 to 9 atoms, preferably 3 to 6 atoms. Polycyclic rings contain from 7 to 17 atoms, preferably from 7 to 13 atoms.

"Aryl" is an aromatic carbocyclic ring radical. Preferred aryl groups include (for example) phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, cumenyl and naphthyl.

"Heteroaryl" is an aromatic heterocyclic ring radical. Preferred heteroaryl groups include (for example) thienyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, thiazolyl, pyrimidinyl, quinolinyl, and tetrazolyl.

"Alkoxy" is an oxygen radical having a hydrocarbon chain substituent, where the hydrocarbon chain is an alkyl or alkenyl (i.e., --O-alkyl or --O-alkenyl). Preferred alkoxy groups include (for example) methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy and allyloxy.

"Alkylamino" is an amino radical having one or two alkyl substituents (i.e., --N-alkyl).

"Arylalkyl" is an alkyl radical substituted with an aryl group. Preferred aryl alkyl groups include benzyl and phenylethyl.

"Arylamino" is an amine radical substituted with an aryl group (i.e., --NH-aryl).

"Aryloxy" is an oxygen radical having a aryl substituent (i.e., --O-aryl).

"Acyl" or "carbonyl" is a radical formed by removal of the hydroxy from an carboxylic acid (i.e., R--C(═O)--). Preferred alkylacyl groups include (for example) acetyl, formyl, and priopionyl.

"Acyloxy" is an oxygen radical having an acyl substituent (i.e., --O-acyl ); for example,--O--C(═O)-alkyl.

"Acylamino" is an amino radical having an acyl substituent (i.e., --N-acyl); for example, --NH--C(═O)-alkyl. "Halo" "halogen" or "halide" is a chloro, bromo, fluoro or iodo atom radical. Chloro and fluoro are preferred halides.

Also, as referred to herein, a "lower" hydrocarbon moiety (e.g., "lower" alkyl) is a hydrocarbon chain comprised of from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4, carbon atoms.

A "pharmaceutically-acceptable salt" is a cationic salt formed at any acidic (e.g., carboxyl) group, or an anionic salt formed at any basic (e.g., amino) group. Many such salts are known in the art, as described in World Patent Publication 87/05297, Johnston et al., published Sep. 11, 1987 (incorporated by reference herein). Preferred cationic salts include the alkali metal salts (such as sodium and potassium), and alkaline earth metal salts (such as magnesium and calcium). Preferred anionic salts include the halides (such as chloride salts).

A "biohydrolyzable ester" is an ester of a quinolone thiourea that does not essentially interfere with the antimicrobial activity of the compounds, or that are readily metabolized by a human or lower animal subject to yield an antimicrobially-active quinolone thiourea. Such esters include those that do not interfere with the biological activity of quinolone antimicrobials. Many such esters are known in the art, as described in World Patent Publication 87/05297, Johnston et al., published Sep. 11, 1987, (incorporated by reference herein). Such esters include lower alkyl esters, lower acyloxy-alkyl esters (such as acetoxymethyl, acetoxyethyl, aminocarbonyloxymethyl, pivaloyloxymethyl and pivaloyloxyethyl esters), lactonyl esters (such as phthalidyl and thiophthalidyl esters), lower alkoxyacyloxyalkyl esters (such as methoxycarbonyloxymethyl, ethoxycarbonyloxyethyl and isopropoxycarbonyloxyethyl esters), alkoxyalkyl esters, choline esters, and alkyl acylamino alkyl esters (such as acetamidomethyl esters).

As defined above and as used herein, substituent groups may themselves be substituted. Such substitution may be with one or more substituents. Such substituents include those listed in C. Hansch and A. Leo, Substituent Constants for Correlation Analysis in Chemistry and Biology (1979), incorporated by reference herein. Preferred substituents include (for example) alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, oxo, nitro, amino, aminoalkyl (e.g., aminomethyl, etc.), cyano, halo, carboxy, alkoxyaceyl (e.g., carboethoxy, etc.), thiol, aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, etc.), imino, thioxo, hydroxyalkyl, aryloxy, arylalkyl, and combinations thereof.

Also, as used in defining the structure of the compounds of this invention, a particular radical may be defined for use as a substituent in multiple locations. For example, the R⁸ substituent is defined as a potential substituent of R⁷, but is also incorporated into the definition of other substituents (such as R¹, and R⁶). As used herein, such a radical is independently selected each time it is used (e.g., R⁸ need not be alkyl in all occurrences in defining a given compound of this invention).

Groups A¹, A², A³, R¹, R³, R⁴ and R⁶ form any of a variety of quinolone, naphthyridine or related heterocyclic moieties known in the art to have antimicrobial activity. Such moleties are well known in the art, as described in the following articles, all incorporated by reference herein: J. Wolfson et al., "The Fluoroquinolones: Structures, Mechanisms of Action and Resistance, and Spectra of Activity In Vitro", 28 Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 581 (1985); and T. Rosen et al., 31 J. Med Chem. 1586 (1988); T. Rosen et al., 31 J. Med. Chem. 1598 (1988); G. Klopman et al., 31 Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 1831 (1987); 31: 1831-1840; J. P. Sanchez et al., 31 J. Med. Chem983 (1988); J. M. Domagalia et alo, 31 J. Med. Chem. 991 (1988); M. P. Wentland et al., in 20 Ann. Rep. Med. Chem. 145 (D. M. Baily, editor, 1986); J. B. Cornett et al., in 21 Ann. Rep. Med. Chem. 139 (D. M. Bailey, editor, 1986); P. B. Fernandes et al., in 22 Ann. Rep. Med. Chem. 117 (D. M. Bailey, editor, 1987); R. Albrecht, 21 Prog. Drug Research 9 (1977); and P. B. Fernandes et al., in 23 Ann. Rep. Med. Chem. (R. C. Allen, editor, 1987).

Preferred quinolone moieties include those where A¹ is C(R⁷), and A³ is C(R⁵) (i.e., quinolones); A¹ is nitrogen, and A³ is C(R⁵) (i.e., naphthyridines); and where A¹ is C(R⁷), and A³ is nitrogen (i.e., cinnoline acid derivatives). More preferred quinolone moleties are those where A¹ is C(R⁷), and A³ is C(R⁵) (i.e., quinolones); and where A¹ is nitrogen, and A³ is C(R⁵) (i.e., naphthyridines). Particularly preferred quinolone moieties are where A¹ is (R⁷), and A³ is C(R⁵) (i.e., quinolones).

R¹ is preferably alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl and alkylamino. More preferably, R¹ is ethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, t-butyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, methylamino and cyclopropyl. Cyclopropyl is a particularly preferred R¹ group. Preferred quinolone moieties also include those where A¹ is C(R⁷) and R¹ and R⁷ together comprise a 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing an oxygen or sulfur atom.

R² is preferably chlorine or fluorine. Fluorine is a particularly preferred R² group.

Preferred R³ groups include nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings. Particularly preferred are nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings having from 5 to 8 members. The heterocyclic ring may contain additional heteroatoms, such as oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen, preferably nitrogen. Such heterocyclic groups are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,334, Petersen et al., issued Jul. 8, 1986;and U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,444, Grohe et al., issued Jun. 2, 1987 (both incorporated by reference herein). Preferred R³ groups include unsubstituted or substituted pyridine, piperidine, morpholine, diazabicyclo[3.1.1]heptane, diazabicyclo [2.2.1]heptane, diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, thiazolidine, imidazolidine, pyrrole and thiamorpholine, as well as the following particularly preferred R³ groups include piperazine, 3-methylpiperazine, 3-aminopyrrolidine, 3-aminomethylpyrrolidine, N,N-dimethylaminomethylpyrrolidine, N-methylaminomethylpyrrolidine, N-ethylaminomethylpyrrolidine, pyridine, N-methylpiperazine and 3,5-dimethylpiperazine.

Preferred quinolone thioureas include those having a 6-fluoroquinolone moiety or an 8-halo-6-fluoroquinolone moiety, of formula: ##STR4## wherein, referring to formula (I), R² is F; A³ is C(R⁵); and A¹ is C(R⁷) where R⁷ is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine.

Also preferred are quinolone thioureas having a 1,8-naphthyridine moiety, of formula: ##STR5## wherein, referring to formula (I), A¹ is N; and A³ is C(R⁵).

Also preferred are quinolone thioureas having a pyridobenzoxazine or pyridobenzthiazine moiety, of formula: ##STR6## wherein, referring to formula (I), A¹ is C(R⁷); A³ is C(R⁵); and R⁷ and R¹ together comprise a linking moiety between N' and A¹ to form a 6-membered heterocyclic ring where X (in this formula) is oxygen or sulfur.

Also preferred are quinolone thioureas having an isothiazoloquinolinedione or isoxazoloquinolinedione moiety, of formula: ##STR7## wherein, referring to formula (I), wherein A¹ is C(R⁷); A³ is C(R⁵); and R⁴ and R⁵ together comprise a moiety forming a 5-membered, substituted, heterocyclic ring.

The compounds of this invention are also useful as intermediates in the synthesis of novel lactam-quinolones. Such compounds are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 416,645, filed Oct. 10, 1989 (Norwich Eaton Case N-529R), incorporated by reference herein. Lactam-quinolones encompass any of a variety of lactam moieties linked, by a linking moiety, to a quinolone moiety at positions other than the 3-carboxy position.

Lactam-quinolones include compounds having the general structure:

    Q-L-B

wherein Q, L and B are defined as follows:

(I) Q is a structure according to Formula (I) ##STR8## wherein (A)

(1) A¹ is N or C(R⁷); where

(i) R⁷ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro, cyano, halogen, alkyl, or N(R⁸)(R⁹) (preferably hydrogen or halogen), and

(ii) R⁸ and R⁹ are, independently, R^(8a), where R^(8a) is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, a carbocyclic ring, or a heterocyclic ring substituent; or R⁸ and R⁹ together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the nitrogen to which they are bonded;

(2) A² is N or C(R²) (preferably C(R²)); where R² is hydrogen or halogen;

(3) A³ is N or (preferably) C(R⁵); where R⁵ is hydrogen;

(4) R¹ is hydrogen or R¹⁵, where R¹⁵ is (for this formula, only) alkyl, a carbocyclic ring, a heterocyclic ring, alkoxy, hydroxy, alkenyl, arylalkyl, or N(R⁸)(R⁹) (preferably alkyl or a carbocyclic ring);

(5) R³ is hydrogen, halogen, or R¹⁶, where R¹⁶ (for this formula, only) is alkyl, a carbocyclic ring, or a heterocyclic ring (preferably a heterocyclic ring);

(6) R⁴ is hydroxy; and

(7) R⁶ is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or N(R⁸)(R⁹) (preferably hydrogen);

(B) except that

(1) when A¹ is C(R⁷), R¹ and R⁷ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including N' and A¹ ;

(2) when A² is C(R²), R² and R³ may together comprise --O--(CH₂)_(n) --O--, where n is an integer from 1 to 4;

(3) when A³ is C(R⁵), R⁴ and R⁵ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the carbon atoms to which R⁴ and R⁵ are bonded and the carbon atom of Formula (I) to which said carbon atoms are bonded; and

(4) when A³ is C(R⁵), R^(I) and R⁵ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including N' and the adjacent carbon to which R⁵ is bonded;

(C) and either

(1) R¹ is R¹⁵ and is a substituent moiety of L; or

(2) R³ is R¹⁶ and is a substituent moiety of L;

(II) B is a structure according to Formula (II), where L is bonded to R¹⁴ : ##STR9## wherein (A) R¹⁰ is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkyl, a carbocyclic ring, a heterocyclic ring, R^(8a) --O--, R^(8a) CH═N--, (R⁸)(R⁹)N--, ¹⁷ --C(═CHR²⁰)--C(═O)NH--, or (preferably) R¹⁷ --C(═NO--R¹⁹)--C(═O)NH--, or R¹⁸ --(CH₂)_(m) --C(═O)NH--; where

(1) m is an integer from 0 to 9 (preferably from 0 to 3);

(2) R¹⁷ is (for this formula, only) hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkyl, heteroalkenyl, a carbocyclic ring, or a heterocyclic ring (preferably alkyl, a carbocyclic ring, or a heterocyclic ring);

(3) R¹⁸ is (for this formula, only) R¹⁷, --Y¹, or --CH(Y²)(R¹⁷);

(4) R¹⁹ is (for this formula, only) R¹⁷, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, --C(R²²)(R²³)COOH, --C(═O)O--R¹⁷, or --C(═O)NH--R¹⁷, where R²² and R²³ are, independently, R¹⁷ or together comprise a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring including the carbon atom to which R²² and R²³ are bonded (preferably R¹⁷ or --C(R²²)(R²³)COOH)

(5) R²⁰ is R¹⁹, halogen, --Y¹, or --CH(Y²)(R¹⁷) (preferably R¹⁹ or halogen);

(6) Y¹ is --C(═O)OR²¹, --C(═O)R²¹, --N(R²⁴)R²¹, or (preferably) --S(O)_(p) R²⁹ or --OR²⁹ ; and Y² is Y¹ or --OH, --SH, or --SO₃ H;

(a) p is an integer from 0 to 2 (preferably 0);

(b) R²⁴ is hydrogen; alkyl; alkenyl; heteroalkyl; heteroalkenyl; a carbocyclic ring; a heterocyclic ring; --SO₃ H; --C(═O)R²⁵ ; or, when R¹⁸ is --CH(Y--R²¹)(R¹⁷), R²⁴ may comprise a moiety bonded to R²¹ to form a heterocyclic ring; and

(c) R²⁵ is R¹⁷, NH(R¹⁷), N(R¹⁷)(R²⁶), O(R²⁶), or S(R²⁶) (preferably R¹⁷, NH(R¹⁷) or N(R¹⁷)(R²⁶)); where R²⁶ is alkyl, alkenyl, a carbocyclic ring, a heterocyclic ring or (preferably) when R²⁵ N(R¹⁷)(R²⁶), R²⁶ may comprise a moiety bonded to R¹⁷ to form a heterocyclic ring; and

(7) R²¹ is R²⁹ or hydrogen; where R²⁹ is alkyl; alkenyl; arylalkyl; heteroalkyl; heteroalkenyl; heteroarylalkyl; a carbocyclic ring; a heterocyclic ring; or, when Y is N(R²⁴) and R²¹ is R²⁹, R²¹ and R²⁴ may together comprise a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring including the nitrogen atom to which R²⁹ is bonded (preferably hydrogen, alkyl, a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring);

(B) R¹¹ is hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, or R²⁷ C(═O)NH--(preferably hydrogen or alkoxy), where R²⁷ is hydrogen or alkyl (preferably hydrogen);

(C) bond "a" is a single bond or is nil; and bond "b" is a single bond, a double bond, or is nil; except bond "a" and bond "b" are not both nil;

(D) R¹² is --C(R^(8a))--, or --CH₂ --R²⁸ --(preferably --C(R^(8a))--); where R²⁸ is --C(R⁸), --O--, or --N--, and R²⁸ is directly bonded to N" in Formula (II) to form a 5-membered ring; except, if bond "a" is nil, then R¹² is

(1) (preferably) --C(R^(8a))(X¹)--, where

(i) X¹ is --R²¹ ; --OR³⁰ ; --S(O)_(r) R³⁰, where r is an integer from 0 to 2 (preferably 0); --OC═O)R³⁰ ; or N(R³⁰)R³¹ ; and

(ii) R³⁰ and R³¹ are, independently, alkyl, alkenyl, carbocyclic ring or heterocyclic ring substituents; or R³⁰ and R³¹ together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the nitrogen atom to which R³⁰ and R³¹ are bonded; or

(2) --CH₂ --R³² --; where R³² is --C(R⁸)(R²¹), --O--, or --NR⁸, and R³² is directly bonded to N" in Formula (II) to form a 5-membered ring;

(E)

(1) if bond "b" is a single bond, R¹³ is preferably --CH(R³³)--; or, --C(O)NHSO₂ --, if bond "a" is nil; or --C*(R³³)--, if R¹⁴ contains a R³⁶ moiety; where R³³ is hydrogen or COOH (preferably COOH), and C* is linked to R³⁶ to form a 3-membered ring;

(2) if bond "b" is a double bond, R¹³ is --C(R³³)═; or

(3) if bond "b" is nil, R¹³ is hydrogen, --SO₃ H, --PO(OR³⁴)OH, --C(O)NHSO₂ N(R³⁴)(R³⁵), --OSO₃ H, --CH(R³⁵)COOH, or --OCH(R³⁴)COOH (preferably --SO₃ H, or --C(O)NHSO₂ N(R³⁴)(R³⁵); where R³⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, a carbocyclic ring, or a heterocyclic ring; and R³⁵ is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, or --NHR^(8a) ; or (preferably), if R¹³ is --C(O)NHSO₂ N(R³⁴)(R³⁵), R³⁴ and R³⁵ may together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the nitrogen to which R³⁴ and R³⁵ are bonded; and

(F)

(1) if bond "a" or bond "b" is nil, then R¹⁴ is nil and L is bonded directly to R¹² or R¹³ ;

(2) if bond "a" and "b" are single bonds, R¹⁴ is --W--C"' ═C(R^(8a))--R³⁷ --, or --W--C"' (R³⁶)--R³⁷ --; or

(3) (preferably) if bond "a" is a single bond and bond "b" is a double bond, R¹⁴ is --C(R^(8a))(R³⁸)--W--C"' --R³⁷ --; or (preferably) --W--C(R^(8a))(R³⁸)--C"' --R³⁷ --, or --W--C"' --R³⁷ --; where

(a) W is 0; S(O)_(s), where s is an integer from 0 to 2 (preferably 0); Or C(R³⁸), where R³⁸ is hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy ;

(b) R³⁶ hydrogen; alkyl; alkenyl; --COOH; or, if R¹³ is --C*(R³³), R³⁶ may be linked to C* to form a 3-membered carbocyclic ring;

(c) R³⁷ is nil, alkyl, alkenyl, a carbocyclic ring, or a heterocyclic ring; and

(d) C"' is directly bonded to R¹³ to form a 5- or 6-membered ring,

and

(III) L links Q to B; and L is L', --X² _(r) --R³⁹ --L', or --X³ _(r) --R³⁹ --L'; where L' is --X⁴ --C(═Y³)--Z--Q";

(1) R³⁹ is alkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkyl, heteroalkenyl, a carbocyclic ring, or a heterocyclic ring (preferably alkyl or alkenyl);

(2) X² is oxygen, or S(O)_(v), where v is an integer from 0 to 2 (preferably 0);

(3) X³ is nitrogen; N(R⁴⁰); N+(R⁴¹)(R⁴²); or R⁴³ --N(R⁴¹); and is linked to R¹⁴ by a single or double bond; or, if R¹⁴ is nil, X³ is linked to B by a single or double bond (preferably X³ is nitrogen, N(R⁴⁰) or N+(R⁴¹)(R⁴²)); where

(a) R⁴⁰ is R^(8a) ; --OR^(8a) ; or --C(═O)R^(8a) ; (preferably R⁸);

(b) R⁴¹ and R⁴² are, independently, hydrogen; alkyl; alkenyl; carbocyclic rings; heterocyclic rings; or, (preferably) together with Q", comprise a heterocyclic ring as R¹⁵ or R¹⁶ ;

(c) R⁴³ is N(R⁴¹), oxygen or sulfur;

(4) X⁴ is sulfur;

(5) Y³ is N+(R⁴¹)(R⁴²);

(6) Z is nitrogen;

(7) Q" is R¹⁵ or R¹⁶ ; or together with Z, is an R¹⁵ or R¹⁶ group;

and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts and biohydrolyzable esters thereof, and hydrates thereof.

Preferred lactam-containing moieties include cephems, isocephems, iso-oxacephems, oxacephems, carbacephems, penicillins, penems, carbapenems, and monocyclic beta-lactams. Particularly preferred are cephems, penems, carbapenems and monocyclic beta-lactams.

R¹⁰, in formula (II), is any radical that may be substituted at the active stereoisomeric position of the carbon adjacent to the lactam carbonyl of an antimicrobially-active lactam. (As used herein, the term "antimicrobially-active-lactam" refers to a lactam-containing compound, without a quinolones substituent moiety, which has antimicrobial activity.) This "active" position is beta (i.e., 7-beta) for cephems, oxacephems and carbacephems (for example). The active position is alpha for penems, carbapenems, clavems and clavams. Appropriate R¹⁰ groups will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Procedures for preparing quinolones and quinolone intermediates useful in the methods of this invention are described in the following references, all incorporated by reference herein (including articles listed within these references); 21 Progress in Drug Research, 9-104 (1977); 31 J. Med. Chem., 503-506 (1988); 32 J. Med. Chem., 1313-1318 (1989); 1987 Liebigs Ann. Chem., 871-879 (1987); 14 Druqs Exptl. Clin. Res., 379-383 (1988); 31 J. Med. Chem., 983-991 (1988); 32 J. Med. Chem., 537-542 (1989); 78 J. Pharm. Sci., 585-588 (1989); 26 J. Het. Chem., (1989); 24 J. Het. Chem., 181-185 (1987); U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,334, 35 Chem. Pharm. Bull., 2281-2285 (1987); 29 J. Med. Chem., 2363-2369 (1986); 31 J. Med. Chem., 991-1001 (1988); 25 J. Het. Chem., 479-485 (1988); European Patent Publication 266,576;European Patent Publication 251,308, 36 Chem. Pharm. Bull., 1223-1228 (988); European Patent Publication 227,088; European Patent Publication 227,039; European Patent Publication 228,661; 31 J. Med. Chem., 1586-1590 (1988); 31 J. Med. Chem., 1598-1611 (1988); and 23 J. Med. Chem., 1358-1363 (1980).

In general, quinolone thioureas can be prepared by the following procedure:

    Quin--NH+XC(═S)Y→[Quin--NC(═S)X]+RR'NH→QuinNC(═S)NRR'

where X and Y are reactive leaving groups (such as halo or an activated ester or anhydride) and Quin--NH represents an appropriately protected, amino-containing quinolone. The reaction sequence can be envisioned as acylation of the quinolone amino substituent with thiophosgene or equivalent synthon, followed by the subsequent addition of an amino containing nucleophile to form the quinolone thiourea. Alternatively, quinolone thioureas can be prepared by the following procedure:

    Quin--NH+S═C═NR→Quin--NC(═S)NHR

where S═C═NR is an appropriately substituted isothiocyanate and Quin--NH represents an appropriately protected, amino-containing quinolone. The reaction sequence involves the acylation of the quinolone amino substituent with the isothiocyanate or equivalent synthon to form the quinolone thiourea.

Compositions

The compositions of this invention comprise:

(a) a safe and effective amount of a quinolone thiourea;

and

(b) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier. A "safe and effective amount" of a quinolone thiourea is an amount that is effective, to inhibit microbial growth at the site of an infection to be treated in a human or lower animal subject, without undue adverse side effects (such as toxicity, irritation, or allergic response), commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio when used in the manner of this invention. The specific "safe and effective amount" will, obviously, vary with such factors as the particular condition being treated, the physical condition of the patient, the duration of treatment, the nature of concurrent therapy (if any), the specific dosage form to be used, the carrier employed, the solubility of the quinolone thiourea therein, and the dosage regimen desired for the composition.

The compositions of this invention are preferably provided in unit dosage form. As used herein, a "unit dosage form" is a composition of this invention containing an amount of a quinolone thiourea that is suitable for administration to a human or lower animal subject, in a single dose, according to good medical practice. These compositions preferably contain from about 30 mg to about 20,000 mg, more preferably from about 50 mg (milligrams) to about 7000 mg, more preferably from about 500 mg to about 3500 mg, of a quinolone thiourea.

The compositions of this invention may be in any of a variety of forms, suitable (for example) for oral, rectal, topical or parenteral administration. Depending upon the particular route of administration desired, a variety of pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers well-known in the art may be used. These include solid or liquid fillers, diluents, hydrotropes, surface-active agents, and encapsulating substances. Optional pharmaceutically-active materials may be included, which do not substantially interfere with the antimicrobial activity of the quinolone thiourea. The amount of carrier employed in conjunction with the quinolone thiourea is sufficient to provide a practical quantity of material for administration per unit dose of the quinolone thiourea. Techniques and compositions for making dosage forms useful in the methods of this invention are described in the following references, all incorporated by reference herein: 7 Modern Pharmaceutics, Chapters 9 and 10 (Banker & Rhodes, editors, 1979); Lieberman et al., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets (1981); and Ansel, Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms 2d Edition (1976).

In particular, pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers for systemic administration include sugars, starches, cellulose and its derivatives, malt, gelatin talc, calcium sulfate, vegetable oils, synthetic oils, polyols alginic acid, phosphate buffer solutions, emulsifiers, isotonic saline, and pyrogert-free water. Preferred carriers for parenteral administration include propylene glycol, ethyl oleate, pyrrolidone, ethanol, and sesame oil. Preferably, the pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, in compositions for parenteral administration, comprises at least about 90% by weight by the total composition.

Various oral dosage forms can be used, including such solid forms as Tablets, capsules, granules and bulk powders. These oral forms comprise a safe and effective amount, usually at least about 5%, and preferably from about 25% to about 50%, of the quinolone thiourea. Tablets can be compressed, tablet triturates, enteric-coated, sugar-coated, film-coated, or multiple-compressed, containing suitable binders, lubricants, diluents, disintegrating agents, coloring agents, flavoring agents, flow-inducing agents, and melting agents. Liquid oral dosage forms include aqueous solutions, emulsions, suspensions, solutions and/or suspensions reconstituted from non-effervescent granules, and effervescent preparations reconstituted from effervescent granules, containing suitable solvents, preservatives, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, diluents, sweeteners, melting agents, coloring agents and flavoring agents. Preferred carriers for oral administration include gelatin, propylene glycol, cottonseed oil and sesame oil.

The compositions of this invention can also be administered topically to a subject, i.e., by the direct laying on or spreading of the composition on the epidermal or epithelial tissue of the subject. Such compositions include, for example, lotions, creams, solutions, gels and solids. These topical compositions preferably comprise a safe and effective amount, usually at least about 0.1%, and preferably from about 1% to about 5%, of the quinolone thiourea. Suitable carriers for topical administration preferably remain in place on the skin as a continuous film, and resist being removed by perspiration or immersion in water. Generally, the carrier is organic in nature and capable of having dispersed or dissolved therein the quinolone thiourea. The carrier may include pharmaceutically-acceptable emolients, emulsifiers, thickening agents, and solvents.

Methods of Administration

This invention also provides methods of treating or preventing an infectious disorder in a human or other animal subject, by administering a safe and effective amount of a quinolone thiourea to said subject. As used herein, an "infectious disorder" is any disorder characterized by the presence of a microbial infection. Preferred methods of this invention are for the treatment of bacterial infections. Such infectious disorders include (for example) central nervous system infections, external ear infections, infections of the middle ear (such as acute otitis media), infections of the cranial sinuses, eye infections, infections of the oral cavity (such as infections of the teeth, gums and mucosa), upper respiratory tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, genitourinary infections, gastrointestinal infections, gynecological infections, septicemia, bone and joint infections, skin and skin structure infections, bacterial endocarditis, burns, antibacterial prophylaxis of surgery, and antibacterial prophylaxis in immunosuppressed patients (such as patients receiving cancer chemotherapy, or organ transplant patients).

The quinolone thioureas and compositions of this invention can be administered topically or systemically. Systemic application includes any method of introducing the quinolone thiourea into the tissues of the body, e.g., intrathecal, epidural, intramuscular, transdermal, intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, sublingual, rectal, and oral administration. The specific dosage of antimicrobial to be administered, as well as the duration of treatment, are mutually dependent. The dosage and treatment regimen will also depend upon such factors as the specific quinolone thiourea used, the resistance pattern of the infecting organism to the quinolone thiourea used, the ability of the quinolone thiourea to reach minimum inhibitory concentrations at the site of the infection, the nature and extent of other infections (if any), the personal attributes of the subject (such as weight), compliance with the treatment regimen, and the presence and severity of any side effects of the treatment.

Typically, for a human adult (weighing approximately 70 kilograms), from about 75 mg to about 30,000 mg, more preferably from about 100 mg to about 20,000 mg, more preferably from about 500 mg to about 3500 mg, of quinolone thiourea are administered per day. Treatment regimens preferably extend from about 1 to about 56 days, preferably from about 7 to about 28 days, in duration. Prophylactic regimens (such as avoidance of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients) may extend 6 months, or longer, according to good medical practice.

A preferred method of systemic administration is oral. Individual doses of from about 100 mg to about 2500 mg, preferably from about 250 mg to about 1000 mg are preferred. Topical administration can be used to deliver the quinolone thiourea systemically, or to treat a local infection. The amounts of quinolone thiourea to be topically administered depends upon such factors as skin sensitivity, type and location of the tissue to be treated, the composition and carrier (if any) to be administered, the particular quinolone thiourea to be administered, as well as the particular disorder to be treated and the extent to which systemic (as distinguished from local) effects are desired.

The following non-limiting examples illustrate the compounds, compositions, processes, and uses of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Quinolone thioureas are made according to the following general procedure. ##STR10##

Specifically, 7-(4-aminothioxomethyl-1-piperazinyl)-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Compound III) is made by slowly adding 10.0 gm of 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Compound I, prepared according to K. Grohe, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,444 (1987)) to a solution of 6.57 gm 1,1'-thiocarbonyl di-imidazole (90%) in approximately 300 ml DMF, at about 0° C. After 1 hr, a heavy precipitate is collected by filtration. The resultant solid is triturated in ether, filtered and dried in vacuo at room temperature to yield 11.68 gm Compound II.

Compound II (7.0 gm) is added at about 0° C. to a saturated solution of ammonia in DMF (140 ml) and the reaction is allowed to warm to room temperature. Stirring is continued overnight. A precipitate forms which is collected and dried at about 100° C. in vacuo to yield 4.55 gm Compound III.

Similarly, 1-cyclopropyl-7-[4-[(dimethylamino)-thioxomethyl]-1-piperazinyl]-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Compound IV) is made, in 95% yield, from Compound II under similar conditions as for the synthesis of Compound III, using a saturated dimethylamine/DMF solution.

Similarly, 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-7-[4-(hydrazinothioxomethyl)-1-piperazinyl]-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Compound V) is made, in 85% yield, from Compound II under similar conditions as for the synthesis of Compound III, using approximately a 20-fold excess of hydrazine monohydrate in a DMF solution.

EXAMPLE 2

7-[3-(aminothioxomethyl)amino-1-pyrrolidinyl]-1-cyclopropyl-6,8-difluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Compound II) is made according to the following general procedure. ##STR11## To a solution of 6.23 gm 1,1'-thiocarbonyl di-imidazole (90%) in approximately 300 ml DMF is slowly added 10.0 gm 7-(3-amino-1-pyrollidinyl)-1-cyclopropyl-6,8-difluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Compound I, prepared according to J. P. Sanchez, et al., 31 J. Med. Chem. 983-991 (1988) at about 0° C. After 3 hr, the reaction mixture is transferred in portions at about 0° C. to a saturated solution of ammonia in DMF (140 ml.) and the reaction is allowed to warm to room temperature. Stirring is continued overnight. The resulting precipitate is collected by filtration and dried in vacuo to yield 6.82 gm Compound II.

EXAMPLE 3

An enteric coated antimicrobial composition for oral administration, according to this invention, is made comprising the following core tablet:

    ______________________________________                                         Component           Amount (mg)                                                ______________________________________                                         compound (III) of Example 1                                                                        350.0                                                      starch              30.0                                                       magnesium stearate  5.0                                                        microcrystalline cellulose                                                                         100.0                                                      colloidal silicon dioxide                                                                          2.5                                                        povidone            12.5                                                       flavor              5.0                                                        ______________________________________                                    

The components are admixed into a bulk mixture. Compressed tablets are formed, using tabletting methods known in the art. The tablet is then coated with a suspension of methacrylic acid/methacrylic acid ester-polymer in isopropanol/acetone. A human subject, having a urinary tract infection with Escherichia coli present, is orally administered two of the tablets, every 8 hours, for 14 days. Symptoms of the disease then subside, indicating substantial eradication of the pathogen. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Thiourea-containing compounds having one of the following structures: ##STR12## wherein (A)(1) X is the thiourea-containing moiety --R¹⁵ --N(R¹⁶)(R¹⁷) or --R¹⁵ --R¹⁸ --N(R¹⁹)(R¹⁷), where(a)(i) R¹⁵ is nil; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and (ii) R¹⁶ is hydrogen; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; C₂ -C₈ alkenyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; or (iii) when X is R¹⁵ --N(R¹⁶)(R¹⁷), R¹⁶ and R¹⁵ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; (b) R¹⁷ is --C(═S)--NR²⁰ R²¹ ; where R²⁰ is hydrogen; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; C₂ -C₈ alkenyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and R²¹ is R²⁰ or N(R²⁰)(R²⁰); or R²⁰ and R²¹, together with the nitrogen to which they are bonded, form a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and (c)(i) R¹⁸ is C₁ -C₈ alkyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and (ii) R¹⁹ is hydrogen; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; C₂ -C₈ alkenyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; or (iii) K¹⁸ and K¹⁹ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including the nitrogen atom to which K¹⁸ and K¹⁹ are bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; (2) A¹ is N or C(R⁷); where(a) R⁷ is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro, cyano, halogen, C₁ -C₈ alkyl, or N(R⁵)(R⁹), and (b) R⁸ and R⁹ are, independently, R^(8a) ; where R^(8a) is hydrogen; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; C₂ -C₈ alkenyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; or R⁸ and R⁹ together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle that includes the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; (3) A² is C(R²); where R² is hydrogen or halogen; (4)(a) when A¹ is N, A³ is N or C(R⁵), where R⁵ is hydrogen; and (b) when A¹ is C(R⁷), A³ is N; (5) R¹ is hydrogen; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; alkoxy; hydroxy; C₂ -C₈ alkenyl; arylalkyl; or N(R⁸)(R⁹); wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; (6) R³ is hydrogen; halogen; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; (7) R⁴ is hydroxy; and (8) R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₈ alkyl, halogen, nitro, N(R⁸)(R⁹), or S(R^(8a)); (B) and where(1) when A¹ is C(R⁷), R¹ and R⁷ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including N' and A¹ ; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; (2) R² and R³ may together comprise --O--(CH₂)_(n) --O--, where n is from 1 to 4; (3) when A³ is C(R⁵), R⁴ and R⁵ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including the carbon atoms to which R⁴ and R⁵ are bonded and the carbon atom to which said carbon atoms are bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and (4) when A³ is C(R⁵), R¹ and R⁵ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including N' and the adjacent carbon to which R⁵ is bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N;and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable esters, and hydrates thereof.
 2. A compound, according to claim 1, wherein A¹ is nitrogen and A³ is C(R⁵); or A¹ is C(R⁷) and A³ is nitrogen.
 3. A compound, according to claim 2, wherein R¹ is alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl or alkylamino.
 4. A compound, according to claim 3, wherein R¹ is ethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, t-butyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, methylamino or cyclopropyl.
 5. A compound, according to claim 3, wherein R⁷ is hydrogen or halogen.
 6. A compound, according to claim 5, wherein R⁷ is chlorine or fluorine.
 7. Thiourea-containing compounds having the following structure: ##STR13## wherein (A)(1) X is the thiourea-containing moiety --R¹⁵ --N(R¹⁶)(R¹⁷) or --R¹⁵ --R¹⁸ --N(R¹⁹)(R¹⁷), where(a)(i) R¹⁵ is nil; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and (ii) R¹⁶ is hydrogen; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; C₂ -C₈ alkenyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; or (iii) when X is R¹⁵ --N(R¹⁶)(R¹⁷), R¹⁶ and R¹⁵ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; (b) R¹⁷ is --C(═S)--NR²⁰ R²¹ ; where R²⁰ is hydrogen; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; C₂ -C₈ alkenyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and R²¹ is R²⁰ or N(R²⁰)(R²⁰); or R²⁰ and R²¹, together with the nitrogen to which they are bonded, form a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and (c)(i) R¹⁸ is C₁ C₈ alkyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and (ii) R¹⁹ is hydrogen; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; C₂ -C₈ alkenyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; or (iii) R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; (2) A¹ is N or C(R⁷); where R⁷ is hydrogen or halogen; (3) A² is C(R²); where R² is hydrogen or halogen; (4)(a) when A¹ is N, A³ is N or C(R⁵), where R⁵ is hydrogen; and (b) when A¹ is C(R⁷), A³ is N; (5) R¹ is C₁ -C₈ alkyl, a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic aryl, a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic cycloalkyl, or alkylamino; (6) R⁴ is hydroxy; and (7) R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁ -C₈ alkyl, halogen, nitro, N(R⁸)(R⁹), or S(R^(8a)); (B) and where(1) when A¹ is C(R⁷), R¹ and R⁷ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including N' and A¹ ; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; (2) when A³ is C(R⁵), R⁴ and R⁵ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including the carbon atoms to which R⁴ and R⁵ are bonded and the carbon atom to which said carbon atoms are bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and (3) when A³ is C(R⁵), R¹ and R⁵ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including N' and the adjacent carbon to which R⁵ is bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable esters, and hydrates thereof.
 8. A compound, according to claim 7, wherein X is --R¹⁵ --N(R¹⁶)(R¹⁷).
 9. A compound, according to claim 8, wherein R¹⁶ is hydrogen and R¹⁵ is a heterocyclic ring.
 10. A compound, according to claim 9, wherein said heterocyclic ring is pyrrolidine.
 11. A compound, according to claim 10, wherein R¹ is cyclopropyl, and R² is fluorine.
 12. A compound, according to claim 8, wherein R¹⁶ and R¹⁵ together comprise a heterocyclic ring including the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are bonded.
 13. A compound, according to claim 12, wherein R¹ is cyclopropyl, and R² is fluorine.
 14. A compound, according to claim 13, wherein said heterocyclic ring is piperazine, 3-methylpiperazine, or 3,5-dimethylpiperazine.
 15. A compound, according to claim 14, wherein said heterocyclic ring is piperazine.
 16. A compound, according to claim 7, wherein X is --R¹⁵ --R¹⁸ --N(R¹⁹)(R¹⁷).
 17. A compound, according to claim 16, wherein R¹⁸ is alkyl and R¹⁵ is a heterocyclic ring.
 18. A compound, according to claim 17, wherein R¹ is cyclopropyl, and R² is fluorine.
 19. Thiourea-containing compounds having one of the following structures: ##STR14## wherein (A)(1) X is the thiourea-containing moiety --R¹⁵ --N(R¹⁶)(R¹⁷) or --R¹⁵ --R¹⁸ --N(R¹⁹)(R¹⁷), where(a)(i) R¹⁵ is nil; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and (ii) R¹⁶ is hydrogen; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; C₂ -C₈ alkenyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; or (iii) when X is R¹⁵ --N(R¹⁶)(R¹⁷), R¹⁶ and R¹⁵ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; (b) R¹⁷ is --C(═S)--NR²⁰ R²¹ ; where R²⁰ is hydrogen; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; C₂ -C₈ alkenyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and R²¹ is R²⁰ or N(R²⁰)(R²⁰); or R²⁰ and R²¹, together with the nitrogen to which they are bonded, form a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and (c)(i) R¹⁸ is C₁ -C₈ alkyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and (ii) R¹⁹ is hydrogen; C₁ -C₈ alkyl; C₂ -C₈ alkenyl; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; or (iii) R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; (2) A¹ is N; (3) A² is C(R²); where R² is halogen; (4) A³ is C(R⁵); where R⁵ is hydrogen; (5) R¹ is alkyl; or a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic carbocycle; (6) R³ is a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; (7) R⁴ is hydroxy; and (8) R⁶ is hydrogen; (B) and where(1) R² and R³ may together comprise --O--(CH₂)_(n) --O--, where n is from 1 to 4; (2) R⁴ and R⁵ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including the carbon atoms to which R⁴ and R⁵ are bonded and the carbon atom to which said carbon atoms are bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N; and (3) R¹ and R⁵ may together comprise a 3-9 atom monocyclic or 7-17 atom polycyclic heterocycle including N' and the adjacent carbon to which R⁵ is bonded; wherein said heterocycles have one or more heteroatoms chosen from O, S, or N;and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable esters, and hydrates thereof.
 20. A composition for treating or preventing an infectious disorder in a human or other animal subject, comprising:(1) a safe and effective amount of a compound of claim 1; and (2) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.
 21. A composition for treating or preventing an infectious disorder in a human or other animal subject, comprising:(1) a safe and effective amount of a compound of claim 2; and (2) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.
 22. A composition for treating or preventing an infectious disorder in a human or other animal subject, comprising:(1) a safe and effective amount of a compound of claim 7; and (2) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.
 23. A composition for treating or preventing an infectious disorder in a human or other animal subject, comprising:(1) a safe and effective amount of a compound of claim 14; and (2) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.
 24. A composition for treating or preventing an infectious disorder in human or other animal subject, comprising:(1) a safe and effective amount of a compound of claim 20; and (2) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.
 25. A method for treating or preventing an infectious disorder in a human or other animal subject, by administering to said subject a safe and effective amount of a compound of claim
 1. 26. A method for treating or preventing an infectious disorder in a human or other animal subject, by administering to said subject a safe and effective amount of a compound of claim
 2. 27. A method for treating or preventing an infectious disorder in a human or other animal subject, by administering to said subject a safe and effective mount of a compound of claim
 7. 28. A method for treating or preventing an infectious disorder in a human or other animal subject, by administering to said subject a safe and effective mount of a compound of claim
 14. 29. A method for treating or preventing an infectious disorder in a human or other animal subject, by administering to said subject a safe and effective amount of a compound of claim
 20. 